Moves are underway by the Government to draft an agreement that would eventually allow the East Container Terminal (ECT) to be privatized and largely managed by an Indian company, the All Ceylon General Workers Union has charged.
According to the Sunday Times, the Union has pointed out that the ECT was to be operated as a joint cooperation of India and Japan under the previous regime.
However, authorities from the current Government are reportedly in consultations with the Indian officials in Colombo on the engagement of the Indian company in managing the terminal’s operations.
The cabinet of Ministers is said to have approved the proposal to carry out the operations of the Terminal with India in October, while the decision was only announced by Ports Minister Rohitha Abeygunawardena last week.
The proposal had been placed through a Cabinet Appointed Negotiating Committee (CANC), following which authorities had drafted the terms of engagement that would ensure Sri Lanka retains 51 per cent while India is expected to have 49 per cent but would have complete control of the operations.
The All Ceylon General Workers Union said Government authorities and Indian High Commission officials have been engaged in discussion over the last few weeks on the matter working out the draft concession agreement.
Last week, a number of joint trade unions carried out a protest in Fort, Colombo against the privatisation of the East Container Terminal (ECT).
They charged the country will face an impending crisis should the authorities go ahead with plans to allow an Indian company to run operations of the ECT. (NewsWire)